Rafael Anton Irisarri on the architecture of loneliness and the physics of sound

For over two decades, Rafael Anton Irisarri has been carving out a space that exists somewhere between the tectonic weight of modern classical and the vaporous drift of ambient music. Whether recording under his own name or as The Sight Below, Irisarri’s work is characterized by a physical sense of scale – soundscapes that feel like they have weather systems and geological history.

You can now get eight of UA’s best plug-ins free, plus the free LUNA DAW

UAD Explore is a surprise. This is no “intro” or limited pack; eight stand-out Universal Audio plug-ins are available for free. That’s on top of the company’s free Luna DAW — though the plug-ins will also work in your DAW of choice, no special hardware required. For skill sharing or anyone lacking a budget now, that means access to some great tools.

Peter Kirn - April 15, 2026

Akai’s MPC Sample is compact, $399 — let’s compare it to an original MPC60!

It’s real, it’s adorable, it’s an MPC you can hold in your hand, and it costs just $399. Tiny desks now accommodate whole studios. But now that Akai has shared the full specs for MPC Sample — why not compare it to the original 1988 MPC60, spec-for-spec?

Peter Kirn - March 24, 2026

Pi Day: Chino Yoshio and Sine Wave Marimbas and Cherry Blossoms

Peter Kirn - March 14, 2026

Video guide to accessibility in Ableton Move, Move Everything – Andre Louis

Peter Kirn - March 8, 2026

Ardour 9.2, free and open DAW, grants user wishes — Region FX, anyone?

Peter Kirn - February 23, 2026

Yep, Akai has a honkin’ huge new flagship MPC XL — gallery

Peter Kirn - January 20, 2026

LANDR acquires Reason Studios; takeaways from that announcement

Peter Kirn - January 6, 2026

FL on the Web: hands-on, Image-Line tells us what it all means

Peter Kirn - December 22, 2025